The greatest blessing of living in America is the promise of freedom of religion. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” While the government is a “lord” over us, the First Amendment secures our right to worship God. Can earthly lords save us? Is government the best we can do for ultimate help? “We are all beggars,” wrote Martin Luther shortly before his death. Today’s Advent prayer is to our greater sovereign, our coming Lord Jesus. “O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai: Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.”
“The people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning” (Exodus 2:23-24). And God gave them what? A new government, another earthly lord? God gave only a man, Moses, but a man with a promise of deliverance. When they had followed him to Sinai, God revealed His kingdom of grace. “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt” and promised His grace would guide them to the Promised Land (Exodus 40:36-38).
Like ancient Israel, we look forward to our Promised Land by looking to our Adonai. “Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus...who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope” (Hebrews 3:1-2, 5-6).
“Trust not in princes they are but mortal, / Earthborn they are and soon decay.
Naught are their counsels at life’s last portal, / When the dark grave doth claim its prey.
Since, then, no man can help afford, / Trust ye in Christ, our God and Lord. / Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” (The Lutheran Hymnal, 26, 2)
“O Come, O come, Thou Lord of might / Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the Law / In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to Thee, O Israel.
(Lutheran Service Book 357, 3)
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